Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR)

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) 1ST SUSTAINMENT BRIGADECAMP TAJI SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATOR SFC GRIFFIN DSN 834-3854 wibke.griffin@iraq.centcom.mil Location: Building 92 Room 4

Army’s Policy on Sexual Assault “Sexual assault is a crime that cannot and will not be tolerated in the United States Army. It has a devastating and often lasting impact on the victim, a fellow Soldier. Moreover, sexual assault tears at the moral fiber of our unit formations, degrading our readiness. Sexual assault has no place in the Army … we’re a values based organization; we take care of our fellow Soldiers … and treat all Soldiers with dignity and respect.” Joint statement from the Acting Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff, Army – 7 Apr 04

Policy and Culture Change The DoD DTMs and Army AR600-20 Chapter 8 are policies designed to change the command climate through: • Establishment of the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Installation Victim Advocate (IVA), Unit Victim Advocate (UVA) and Deployable SARC • Implementation of reporting options – restricted and unrestricted • Establishment of a collateral misconduct policy • Emphasis on training and prevention

Sexual Assault Defined Sexual assault: Refers to offenses of a sexual nature committed without the lawful consent of the victim. These offenses, which are punishable as crimes under UCMJ, include the following: • Rape – sexual intercourse by force and without consent • Forcible sodomy – oral or anal sex by force and without consent • Indecent assault – any non-consensual touching done with the intent to gratify lust or sexual desires • Carnal knowledge – sexual intercourse with a minor

Rape Defined • Sexual intercourse by force and without consent • The UCMJ identifies four types of rape • Physical force • Constructive force • Date/Acquaintance rape • Marital rape

Other Definitions • Victim – one who has been sexually assaulted • Alleged perpetrator – one who has been accused of committing a crime; subject • Perpetrator – one who has committed a crime; offender

Army Sexual Assault Trends • Most rape victims knew the alleged perpetrator. • Most incidents occurred in personal living areas. • Most of the victims were intoxicated or drug impaired. • Most barracks rooms were unsecured. • Most victims delayed reporting.

Common Victim Responses to Being Assaulted Common victim responses • Recall the event • Clean themselves, repeatedly • Destroy evidence Bottom Line: • Victims should report to the emergency room in the same clothes and condition they were assaulted in.

Reasons to Report Sexual Assault • Sexual Assault • Is a crime that cannot and will not be tolerated • Is devastating and has a lasting impact on the victim, a fellow Soldier • Tears at the moral fiber of our Army • Degrades readiness • Has NO place in our Army or our Nation • The Army • Is a values based organization • Takes care of Soldiers and their families • Treats all Soldiers with dignity and respect • Reporting is the RIGHT thing to do!

Victim’s Reluctance to Reporting • Embarrassment or shame • Fear of reprisal by perpetrator or command • Depression and feelings of helplessness • Low self-esteem • Anger and/or guilt • Belief that nothing will be done • Soldiers know that they violated a law / order

Rights of the Alleged Perpetrator • To be afforded legal counsel • To be assumed innocent until proven guilty • To be given a fair trial • To have privacy/confidentiality • To be protected from false allegations

Response Structure – Deployed Environment Command Provided with non-identifying information within 24 hours Command Support Safety Accountability Available only if unrestricted reporting is selected Victim Selects Restricted Reporting Deployable SARC Informs of reporting options Sexual Assault Victim Assigned Unit Victim Advocate Chaplain Unit Victim Advocate Informs of reporting options MTF Medical Treatment Forensic Exam Counseling Victim Selects Unrestricted Reporting Command Informed of the incident CID Sexual Assault Reported

UVA and SARC Responsibilities Unit Victim Advocate (UVA) and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) positions were created as a result of the DoD and Army recommendations. Each of these positions has a specific role and has designated responsibilities within the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program.

Unit Victim Advocate (UVA) Unit Victim Advocates (UVAs) are active duty Soldiers who are appointed on orders by each Battalion level Commander and trained to perform collateral duties in support of victims of sexual assault, particularly in deployed environments. The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or Deployable Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (DSARC) supervises UVAs in the performance of their UVA duties. The UVA will be a NCO (SSG or higher) or Officer (1LT/CW2 or higher).

Unit Victim Advocate (UVA) Responsibilities • Report to and coordinate directly with the SARC, DSARC or designated IVA when assigned to assist a victim of sexual assault • Provide crisis intervention, referral and ongoing non-clinical support to the sexual assault victim. The victim alone will decide whether to accept the offer of victim advocacy services • Attend initial and annual training • Inform victims of their reporting options • Inform victims of their options to use service providers (e.g., medical, legal and chaplain) and resources available to victims

Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) Responsibilities • Ensure overall local management of the SAPR Program • Ensure data collection • Ensure reporting to the Chain-of-Command • Ensure victims receive support services • Ensure services are available • Train and certify VAs • Evaluate program effectiveness • Build and maintain liaisons

Unrestricted Reporting • Army policy favors unrestricted reporting • Command and investigative services are notified • Enables offender accountability • Allows the victim to receive: • Medical treatment • Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) • Advocacy services • Counseling services • Legal services

Restricted Reporting • Allows a Soldier who is sexually assaulted to disclose the incident to specifically identified personnel: • SARC • Victim Advocate(s) • Healthcare providers • Chaplains • Allows the victim to receive: • Medical treatment • SAFE (evidence will be stored for one year) • Advocacy services • Counseling assistance • The Installation Commander is notified by the SARC within 24 hours of the assault and is provided with non-identifying personal information only • DOES NOT TRIGGER THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS

Information Collected in Restricted Cases • The UVA should collect the following information from the victim: • Victim’s • Social security number • Name • Date of birth • Race/ethnicity • Gender • Grade • Component of Service (e.g. Army, Air Force) • Status (e.g. active duty or reserve) • Location of the assault • Date/time of the assault • Type of assault

Information Collected in Restricted Cases Cont’d. • UVA should collect these data only after addressing the victim’s immediate safety concerns and needsInformation should be collected in such a way as to not overwhelm or intimidate the victim • The SARC will provide non-identifying personal information directly to the Installation Commander to give him/her a more accurate picture of the number of sexual assaults occurring • Identifying victim information (e.g., victim’s name, social security number) is collected solely for tracking purposes • If victim chooses not to disclose one of the data elements, the victim should not be pressured to provide an answer

Exceptions to Confidentiality/Restricted Reporting • A victim consents in writing • Disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the victim or another individual • Disclosure is required to determine fitness for duty or disability retirement • To supervise direct victim services adequately • When ordered by a judge or required by federal or state statute Only the SARC can determine if an exception applies. Exceptions do not equal full disclosure. Only information necessary to satisfy the applicable exception should be disclosed.

Independent Investigations • Investigations of restricted cases may occur if: • Command receives information from a source independent of the restricted reporting avenues • Victim discloses circumstances of the sexual assault to someone other than the VA, SARC, Chaplain, or healthcare provider (the protective sphere) • SARCs and VAs will not disclose covered communications unless the victim authorizes the disclosure in writing or another exception applies. • Disclosure will be limited to that information which is necessary to satisfy the applicable exception • Further disclosure will not be made unless the victim authorizes it in writing

Victim Reporting Preference Statement • Purpose of Victim Reporting Preference Statement (VRPS): • Explains reporting options to victim • Explains limitations of restricted reporting • Documents victim’s reporting decision • VRPS is signed and dated by victim • UVAs must provide the SARC with the original VRPS; the victim is given a copy • If victim refuses to sign, the UVA must treat the report as unrestricted. The UVA would relay this information to his/her SARC, and the SARC would then report the incident to the Chain-of-Command

DON’T BE A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT Be Alert • Trust your instincts; if a place or person feels unsafe, it probably is. • Watch for signs of trouble such as strangers in private areas or persons loitering in places where they shouldn't be. • If you sense trouble, get to a safe place as soon as possible. • If you feel you are in danger, attract help any way you can. Reducing your risk in a deployed environment • Be especially prepared and alert in deployed environments. Deployed environments can present special risks for Army personnel: • Sleeping areas (tents, bunkers, trailers and other buildings) may be less secure in a deployed environment. Report any unauthorized males or females in sleeping areas. • Many non-Army personnel are present in deployed unit and working areas. • Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Deployed environments may have different lighting conditions and facilities than those in garrison. Carry a flash light at night. • Different cultures may treat females differently than they are treated in the U.S. Be assertive and clearly state if you feel uncomfortable with how someone is treating you. • To reduce your risk in a deployed environment, travel with a buddy.

Camp TajiSexual Assault Points of Contacts Victims and anyone aware of a victim of sexual assault should immediately seek medical treatment and report the incident to the appropriate agency based on the victim’s reporting options.

MND-B FIRST RESPONDERS

Available Resources • Chain of Command • Military or local medical facility • Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) • Army Community Services (ACS) • Unit Chaplain • Military Police • Criminal Investigation Division (CID) • Local and State Police

QUESTIONS?

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR)